Love them or hate them, cover versions of old songs are a fact of life, and there are more of them around now than ever before, with everyone from Justin Beiber to Miley Cyrus getting in on the act. These efforts are often done as tributes to the original artists – imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, after all – but they very seldom come close to matching the quality of the source material.

There are some exceptions that prove the rule, however, and most of them come from heavy metal bands. Maybe it’s because the unique style of the genre allows artists to change songs enough to make them stand out but not so much as to be indistinguishable from the original? Maybe it’s because these are the musicians most adept in combining instruments and vocals in interesting ways? Or maybe it’s just coincidence? The answer may not be clear, but the impressive quality of many heavy metal covers of classic songs certainly is. Here are ten of the best.

Top 10 Strange Original Versions of Famous Songs

10 Careless Whisper – Seether (Wham/George Michael, 1984)

With its instantly recognizable saxophone intro and somewhat clichéd lyrics, Careless Whisper is regarded as a typically cheesy 80s classic, but a classic all the same. One of George Michael’s first hits, he wrote the song when he was only 17 years old, proof of his natural musical ability. The tune has been the go-to heartbreak song for many ever since.

When Seether decided to cover the song for Valentine’s Day in 2009, they did so purely as a joke, but the plan backfired somewhat as their version, a distinct departure from their regular style, proved so popular that many of their younger fans were unaware that it was, in fact, a cover. When they officially released Careless Whisper as a single, it climbed to 63 on the Billboard Hot 100 in no time. Seether kept the essence of the original but ‘metalled’ it up with some crashing power chords and replaced the sax with an equally effective guitar riff. With Shaun Morgan’s gravelly voice in place of Michael’s silky tones, it could’ve gone either way, but the combined effect is perfect for the song that’s about infidelity and betrayal, making Seether’s cover a definite improvement on the original.

9 Carry On My Wayward Son – Anthrax (Kansas, 1976)

Anthrax was one of the original ‘Big 4’ thrash metal bands that rose to prominence in the early 80s and are known as early pioneers of the genre. With their fast, heavy-handed style, they would seem to be an unlikely band to cover a classic rock song, especially one like Kansas’ Carry On My Wayward Son that relies on melodic vocals and no small amount of keyboard work, neither of which are exactly Anthrax’s forte.

Surprisingly, then, they not only recorded a cover of the song in 2017 but did such a good job of it that it’s difficult to tell their version from the original. Moving away from their signature sound, the thrash legends nailed the cover, getting it note-perfect and even enlisting the services of the famed Fred Mandel on keyboard to round out the effect. Lead singer Joey Belladonna showcases his vocal dynamism on the track and his unexpectedly effective singing is perhaps the standout feature of the song. Anthrax’s version of Carry On My Wayward Son met with resounding approval and founding Kansas member, Phil Ehart, personally gave it the thumbs up.

8 Wish You Were Here – Avenged Sevenfold (Pink Floyd, 1975)

Wish You Were Here is a timeless Pink Floyd classic with powerful lyrics that change in meaning with each new listen and, indeed, with the state of the world as well. The song is unique in that it was one of the few collaborations between Roger Waters and David Gilmour, who otherwise preferred to operate independently despite being in the same band. Wish You Were Here is one of Pink Floyd’s most successful tracks, and it’s been covered several times, most recently by Avenged Sevenfold in 2017.

As a group constantly adapting its style and trying new things, Avenged Sevenfold seem to get it right more often than not, and their version of Wish You Were Here is a perfect example. The original was recorded in a way to create a sense of distance and separation for the listener. The cover emphasizes Gilmour’s previously muted interlude solo, keeping it the same but moving it from acoustic guitar to electric for a punchier feel. That, along with M. Shadows’ unique vocal style, gives the whole thing a new clarity and crisper feel. The band stated the lyrics of the song were apt, given what was going on in the world in 2017, and the same could be said of right now, proving that Pink Floyd’s masterpiece is, indeed, timeless and now, thanks to Avenged Sevenfold, it’s been introduced to a whole new generation.

7 Bad Company – Five Finger Death Punch (Bad Compnay, 1974)

Bad Company formed in the early 70s, borrowing the name from the classic western film starring Jeff Bridges. They also chose that as the title for their first, and most famous, song, which could be seen as a tribute to the movie after which it was named. Stephen King used some of the lyrics in his western sci-fi series, The Dark Tower, but beyond that, neither band nor song received the wide recognition they deserved for what is an exceptional piece of classic rock.

Acclaimed metal outfit Five Finger Death Punch gave Bad Company new life when they released an excellent cover of the song on their 2009 album War Is The Answer after fans demanded a recording of the track that had become a mainstay of the band’s live shows. As one would expect, their version is much heavier, with the piano replaced by guitars and some minor lyrical adjustments. The effect is a cover more powerful than the original, and after Five Finger Death Punch recorded the music video while playing for the troops in Iraq, their updated version of Bad Company has come to be regarded as a tribute to the men and women serving in the armed forces.

6 Wicked Game – HIM (Chris Isaak, 1989)

Chris Isaak’s sensual song about obsessive love has featured on several movie and TV series soundtracks as well as a line of Jaguar commercials, and the artful, black-and-white music video is considered one of the sexiest of all time. It’s not surprising, then, that Scandanavian ‘love metal’ band HIM decided to cover the song in their first official album release in 1997 in an effort to break into the lucrative mainstream western market.

The result is an excellent cover that speeds things up a touch and adds a lot of typically metal-style palm-muting and some effective, if not particularly intricate lead guitar work. While Scandanavian metal is notoriously heavy and is often associated with screaming rather than singing, the vocals on the cover are on a par with Isaak’s distinctive crooning, making HIM’s version a bit darker, a bit edgier, but just as sexy in its own right. And that, of course, was the intention all along. The music video for their version of Wicked Game isn’t half bad either.

5 Heroes – Motörhead – (David Bowie, 1981)

On December 28, 2015, the world lost a music icon when Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister passed away. David Bowie, another legend, died only two weeks later. Both men are known not just for the tremendous impact they had on music in general and their respective genres in particular, but also for their dare-to-be-different approach. They were rebels who defied convention and showed a whole generation that it was okay to be different. One of Bowie’s most famous songs was Heroes and, in a serendipitous development, Motörhead covered the track in what would turn out to be one of Lemmy’s last ever recordings.

The defining feature of the original is David Bowie’s passionate vocals. Lemmy didn’t even try to match that in the cover, sticking rather with the throaty growl that made tracks like Ace Of Spades world famous. With this unique singing style, some slightly altered lyrics, Motörhead’s heavy sound, and an exceptional guitar solo thrown in for good measure, the cover is both a tribute to the original and a notable improvement on what was already an excellent song, to begin with. The title is also fitting as both Lemmy and Bowie were, and always will be, true heroes.

4 The Sound Of Silence – Disturbed (Simon and Garfunkel, 1964)

Simon and Garfunkel’s popular song is about as far removed from metal as you could get, and yet it has the kind of darkly ominous feel that would make it perfect for the genre. Nu-metal band Disturbed seemingly agreed, and their 2015 cover version of the song has become wildly popular and has received endless accolades, with actor Russel Crowe recently calling lead singer David Dralman’s singing on The Sound Of Silence perhaps the greatest rock vocal ever.

Unlike other metal covers, Disturbed’s version slows the tempo down, adding to the heavy, ponderous feel of the song. Also notable here is the complete absence of the electric guitar, as the band instead goes with a symphonic sound and some minor acoustic inclusions. The focus is, of course, Dralman’s voice and it is something to behold as he sings with careful precision initially, building to a stunning crescendo later on. The effect is goose-bump-inducing, and the lyrics of The Sound Of Silence have become starkly relevant of late, as anyone who saw the Youtube video of the song playing over images of deserted cities before it was taken down will know.

3 When A Blind Man Cries – Metallica (Deep Purple, 1972)

Metallica is one of the most successful metal bands in history and they have among their vast store of exceptional original material some noteworthy cover songs as well. They paid tribute to their musical influences in their 1998 album Garage Inc, with covers of tracks by Black Sabbath, Queen, Blue Oyster Cult, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, to name but a few. Arguably their best effort, however, came years later, when they released a bonus recording of their version of Deep Purple’s When A Blind Man Cries on their 2016 album Hardwired…To Self Destruct. And what a fitting tribute to one of their biggest musical influences it is.

James Hetfield shows just how far he’s come as a vocalist on the track and the contrast between the gentle intro, verse, and solo parts and the crashing interlude with Kirk Hammet’s mesmerizing lead guitar work elevates the song, which original writer Ritchie Blackmore has never been particularly fond of, to another level of greatness. Worth mentioning as well is Lars Ulrich’s performance on drums because, even though he often comes in for heavy criticism, his percussive flourishes certainly add depth to a song, as is the case with When A Blind Man Cries. Metallica fans will know that covers are close to the band’s heart as their first album included an excellent take on a song by a then-unknown band that just happens to be up next.

2 Immigrant Song – Diamondhead (Led Zeppelin, 1970)

Diamondhead were key figures in the emergence of heavy metal in the early 80s and, along with the likes of Saxon, Iron Maiden, and Def Lepard, formed part of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement. But, unlike their contemporaries, Diamondhead, through a combination of bad luck and worse management, never quite reached international stardom and were known for years only as the band who inspired Metallica’s early thrash sound.

They’ve made good in recent years with some excellent albums, however, and finally seem to be getting the recognition they deserve. In 2020 they released a rerecorded version of their 1980 album Lightning To The Nations, which features a standout cover version of Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song. Many will recognize the song from the soundtrack of Thor: Ragnarok, and Diamondhead’s heavier version is even better suited to the theme of a Viking invasion than was the original. Brian Tatler’s excellent vocals are just as good as Robert Plant’s, but his Viking warcry that opens the song is a decided improvement on Led Zeppelin’s version, and the solo before the final verse is so good that it’s hard to believe that it’s Diamondhead’s own and that Jimmy page, no slouch in the solo department himself, didn’t include something similar in the initial recording some 50 years ago.

1 In The Air Tonight – In This Moment (Phil Collins, 1981)

One of the shining lights of the emerging metal scene over the last 20 years, In This Moment have produced some excellent albums and if they continue to change and evolve as they have been doing, exciting things lie in store for them in future. For proof of their talent, one need only look as far as their exemplary cover of Phil Collins’ monster hit In The Air Tonight.

The song has been covered many times before, of course, but never quite like this. The original relies on Collins’ vocals and minimal instrumental backing as it builds to the famous drum explosion near the end. It has a subtly ominous, vaguely threatening feel, and In This Moment identified what made the song great and enhanced it magnificently. Maria Brink’s voice seems made for the song and the heavily distorted guitar feedback effect in the initial parts leave the listener with a sense of impending drama, like dark thunderclouds gathering on the horizon, soon to burst. When the inevitable percussive climax arrives, it is a thing of beauty and one can only listen in awe to the powerfully explosive conclusion. Everything is upped several notches here, making In This Moment’s version of In The Air Tonight one of the best metal covers in recent memory, if not ever.

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About The Author: About the author: I’m 32 years old and I live in South Africa. I work full time in logistics and I’m a freelance writer in my (limited) spare time. I have various projects in the works, including a potential novel, and I regularly participate in the Reedsy Prompts short story contest, where a growing collection of my work is available for reading. I have been a shortlisted finalist there twice so far.

Metal detecting is considered a fun and adventurous activity. Enthusiasts look forward to the days when they can carry their metal detectors and head to the woods or the beach. They hope to find jewelry or historical items and anything in between. This has been the norm for many people since time immemorial.

However, metal detecting has not always been a hobby or adventure to look forward to. Some people have discovered things that they wouldn’t wish to. The adventure has uncovered some of the world’s strangest things, from painted mannequins to human body parts. Here, we look at some of the weirdest findings in the history of metal detecting.

10 World War II Hand Grenade

Metal detecting might seem all fun and games until you discover something that genuinely risks your life, like an undetonated World War II hand grenade. This is precisely what happened to a YouTuber known as Silver Steve Detecting.

In a video uploaded on July 30, 2016, the online content creator and metal-detecting enthusiast narrates that he was walking on a beach in the UK that was once home to numerous World War bunkers. On that day, he was out metal detecting as usual before encountering something strange and deadly—an undetonated hand grenade!

Fortunately, Steve called the local police, who sent specialists to the scene. The authorities detonated the grenade at a safe distance, and no one was hurt. It also proves that the hand grenade was unused and threatened people visiting the beach. It was almost literally a ticking time bomb.

9 A Gun Wrapped in Bubble Wrap

Guns are dangerous! They are used to threaten, harm, and, unfortunately, kill. This basic information alone tells you that finding a weapon using a metal detector isn’t common. Nobody wakes up one day hoping to stumble across a weapon like this, let alone find it wrapped suspiciously. Believe it or not, that was the story of a YouTuber known as Deep Digger Dan.

In a video uploaded on YouTube in 2021, Dan set out in the woods with his metal detector to do what he does best: find objects and create content. The day started as a regular one. He found a small object, an ancient coin, and he thought that was it. However, as he was about to leave the forest, his metal detector picked up something strange: he found what looked like a hand pistol wrapped in bubble wrap!

Usually, if this were a military pistol or one used in good faith, you would not expect it to be wrapped the way it was! Upon removing the bubble wrap, Dan’s fears were confirmed; it was a pistol that had been eaten away by rust and was hardly recognizable. As he should have, he called the police and told them of his finding. The weapon was in horrible shape, and the authorities confirmed it could not be identified to know if it was used to commit a crime. Either way, it was an extraordinary find, don’t you think?

8 A Secret Underground Room

To begin with, anything that has to be kept a secret always raises eyebrows. As a metal detection lover, stumbling over an unknown underground space can be spooky. In 2013, a man out with his metal detector discovered an underground room filled with stones and rusty chains! Nobody seemed to know what the hole was about for the longest time, but many theories were available.

Most natives believed this was a storage space for a family that owned the land and had died several years before its discovery. However, what were the rusty chains for? Some people believed someone else inherited the room after the family left. In contrast, others thought the space was used for paranormal activities. In most parts of the world, people attribute anything they do not understand to spiritual or dark forces.

What remains certain is discovering an underground room while metal detecting doesn’t happen every Sunday; it is strange!

7 World War II Time Capsule and a Painted Mannequin’s Head

Metal detecting is supposed to be fun, but that is not always the case; it is sometimes scary. This is the story of a content creator and metal-detecting enthusiast known as MetalDetecting24. As he was doing his business, his metal detector started to go off, and he turned his attention to a blue cylinder that was sealed and buried underground.

As expected, curiosity got the better of him, so he opened the can. To his surprise, he found what looked like a chopped human head but soon discovered it was a mannequin. Still, it was painted red and had what looked like a knife stabbed into the side of its head and stuck together with tape.

In a separate lunch-box-like tin, there was what seemed to be a time capsule. It is unclear why someone would go through so much trouble assembling something like that. And while the discovery might not be as spooky as the rest on this list, finding something like this alone in the forest can send chills down your spine.

6 Skeletal Human Remains

Mike Smith was an experienced and knowledgeable metal-detecting enthusiast. He had done this for years, so when his metal detector picked up an old chain surfacing on the ground, he wasn’t excited; it was a regular day for him, except it wasn’t! As he held the chain and started pulling, he noticed that it led to a secret room underground. The more he pulled, the more he discovered unfamiliar patterns.

The walls of the hole were inscribed with Roman-like letters and seemed to lead somewhere. Soon, Mike discovered what looked like the remains of a body buried long ago. Since he was a veteran, Mike understood the laws of metal detecting, so he immediately notified the police.

From the chain that led to the hole to the inscriptions on the wall and the human remains discovery, everything about Mike’s discovery was strange! With the involvement of the authorities and the press, it goes without saying that Mike’s life turned upside down after the discovery.

5 An Old Treasure Box Full of Coins

It’s not uncommon for people to find ancient coins while metal detecting. However, it’s not every day that you will find a jar full of cash. Usually, you will find a piece here and several others over there. When a YouTuber with the username “OLAF Treasure Hunting & Metal Detecting Diver” stumbled upon a container full of coins by the stream, it wasn’t a regular occurrence.

On that day, the YouTuber took to the stream and started metal detecting as usual. However, when his metal detector started beeping, he dug up the ground to uncover a rusted tin filled with coins estimated to have been used around the World War II period. Who buried the container there, anyway? Did they survive the war but forget to come back for their loot? I guess we will never find out.

4 Treasures Enclosed in a Rock

There are many places to hide your treasures, but I am not sure anyone would think of hiding theirs inside a rock! How do you even do that? Well, it turns out ancient people were daredevils because someone did! While doing his rounds, a YouTuber by the username Treasure Hunting was walking past some rocks with his metal detector when he surprisingly received a signal from one of them.

With his tools, he managed to break through the rock, and to his surprise, some treasures were hidden there. There was also some jewelry and other things valuable to the person who hid them there. Finding a treasure using a metal detector is not strange; discovering one inside a rock is something else.

3 A Pistol, Money, and Creepy Skull Head Belt Buckle

The items found while metal detecting can tell what the type of person who owned them was like. In the same breath, I am not accusing anyone of anything. Still, if you find a pistol, money, and a creepy skull head belt buckle, it’s easy to assume the community did not like the person who owned them.

That aside, a YouTuber with the username Nuggetnoggin found these exact items while metal detecting in a river. Metal detectors are expected to find such things, but finding them in a search and in close proximity can be somewhat strange.

2 Treasure Hunter Finds an Assault Rifle in His Backyard

As a treasure hunter, discovering something as strange as an assault rifle is one thing; finding it in your backyard is another. While digging up his backyard for leveling purposes, a treasure hunter and YouTube content creator found something wrapped inside a black polythene bag. Upon opening it, he was surprised to find a rifle.

He alerted the authorities, who came and surveyed the scene as protocol demands. As a metal detection enthusiast, you would expect to find treasures far from your homestead. However, some people can get lucky twice!

1 A Wedding Ring Found in a Tree Stump

Wedding rings can get lost anywhere. However, you can’t expect to find such jewelry in some places unless it was placed there intentionally. One such place is a tree stump.

The X-Finds YouTube channel is known for producing huge metal detector findings content and boasts a huge following. In one of the videos posted on the platform, we see a treasure hunter recover a wedding ring from inside a tree stump with the aid of a metal detector!

Even though the person in the video collects many other materials, the wedding ring is a magical find!